Silence is Deadly campaign communications kit

The Silence is Deadly campaign run by Victoria’s fire services, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and Country Fire Authority (CFA), aims to ensure all Victorians know the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes - particularly in bedrooms and living areas.

Working smoke alarms provide a crucial early warning in the event of a fire, giving occupants more time to escape and stay safe.

There are regulations and recommendations regarding the type, location and installation of smoke alarms as well as the rights and responsibilities of renters and rental providers (real estate agents and landlords) everyone should know.

This campaign provides important information and tips to help people understand the importance of working smoke alarms as well as the benefits of having multiple and interconnected smoke alarms.

How you can help

Help us spread the word!

Share these resources with your community and networks to make sure every Victorian understands the importance of working smoke alarms in saving lives.

Campaign webpage: www.vic.gov.au/smoke-alarms

When sharing these materials, please do not change any copy and only use materials for their stated purpose. Please feel free to contact CFA or FRV with any questions you may have about sharing materials.

Background information

Only working smoke alarms save lives.

Having working smoke alarms installed in homes improves the safety of occupants. We know some groups of people are most at risk of dying in house fires including:

People aged over 65
Young children aged under four
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Smokers
Males, particularly those aged over 45
People who live in the most socially and financially disadvantaged locations
People who live alone
People who have medications or alcohol in their blood.

Source: Preventable residential fire fatalities in Australia July 2003 to June 2017

Key messages

Only working smoke alarms saves lives.
Victorian fire services recommend that smoke alarms be installed in every bedroom, living area, and hallway.
Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when any alarm activates, all smoke alarms sound.
Victorian fire services recommend smoke alarms are powered by a 10-year long-life battery.
Smoke alarm units, including those attached to mains power, should be replaced at minimum every 10 years.

What the law requires

Smoke alarms must be located between each bedroom area and the rest of the house.
Smoke alarms must be on each level of a multi-storey home.
Homes constructed (or significantly renovated) before 1st August 1997 must have smoke alarms powered by either a battery or connected to 240v mains power with a backup battery.
Homes constructed (or significantly renovated) after 1st August 1997 must have smoke alarms connected to 240v mains power and have a backup battery. Smoke alarms installed in homes constructed (or significantly renovated) after 1 May 2014 must also be interconnected.

Collateral

Feed videos
This 15-second English language video clip highlights the importance of having smoke alarms installed in every bedroom, living area and hallway. These videos can be played in waiting rooms, foyers, lifts and other areas with digital screens, or shared at community events.
There are three versions to choose from - featuring a baby, a couple and an older couple - depending on your audience:

Smoke Alarm Video - Baby
zip 7.4 MB

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Smoke Alarm Video - Couple
zip 7.4 MB

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Smoke Alarm Video - Elderly
zip 7.39 MB

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The below videos are shorter animations that highlight the significance of not having smoke alarms in bedrooms, when the bedroom door is closed.

Animated bedroom video
zip 7.07 MB

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Animated corridor video
zip 8.81 MB

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Static Image

Smoke Alarm Image
zip 488.4 KB

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Facebook/Instagram Copy
OPTION ONE:
Did you know most fatal fires start at night and the smell of smoke alone will not wake you up?
Be smart and install working smoke alarms in all bedrooms, living areas and hallways.
Learn more: www.vic.gov.au/smoke-alarms(opens in a new window)
OPTION TWO:
Silence is deadly so check your smoke alarms!
The seconds you use to test your smoke alarm could be the seconds that save your life.
Learn more about how you can protect your family: https://www.vic.gov.au/smoke-alarms(opens in a new window)
EDM or newsletter copy
The below copy can be used in your e-newsletters to your clients, along with any of the creative on this page.

SILENCE IS DEADLY
As temperatures drop, Victorian fire services are encouraging Victorians to take simple steps to keep their families and homes fire safe this winter.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) have launched a joint community campaign highlighting the importance of working smoke alarms in the home.
The campaign, Silence is Deadly, aims to reduce preventable fire deaths and injuries by urging Victorians to install and maintain working smoke alarms in bedrooms, hallways and living areas, which can provide crucial extra seconds for residents to evacuate safely during a house fire.
Twenty-one people died in preventable house fires in 2025, an increase from 18 the year before.
FRV’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren McQuade says many people still rely on older smoke alarms that may not provide sufficient warning, especially at night.
“We know if a bedroom door is closed, a hallway smoke alarm may not sound in time to safely escape or alert others to the fire,” ACFO McQuade said.
“That’s why we recommend interconnected smoke alarms. If one alarm activates, all smoke alarms will sound, giving you and your family the best chance of survival.”
Fire authorities are also urging Victorians to test smoke alarms monthly and replace smoke alarm units every 10 years. FRV and CFA recommend installing smoke alarms powered by 10-year long-life batteries.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan AFSM said everyone should make sure their smoke alarms are always working correctly so they are ready to help protect your family.
“We encourage all Victorians to test their smoke alarms regularly. There is nothing more disheartening to a firefighter than when we go into a home and we see smoke alarms that aren’t functional. Only working smoke alarms save lives,” CO Heffernan AFSM said.
“Most fire fatalities are preventable. If you think you are going to wake up during a house fire, think again. There are gases in the room putting you further to sleep, so a smoke alarm is really the only thing that will ensure you are alerted when a fire occurs to give you the opportunity to escape.”
Learn more about how you can protect your family: vic.gov.au/silence-deadly
We have developed a new flyer to provide clearer guidance on smoke alarm costs and the types available.
Smoke alarms cost as little as $10 and are the most affordable way to protect the people you live with.
In addition, we have created a dedicated flyer for renters and rental providers which explains their respective rights and responsibilities regarding smoke alarms.
Flyer 1: Smoke alarms
A double-sided flyer providing key smoke alarm safety information.

Smoke alarms. Low cost. Big protection.
PDF 1.02 MB

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Flyer 2: Smoke alarms renters and rental providers
A double-sided flyer providing key information for renters and rental providers.

Smoke alarms. Renters’ and rental providers’ rights and responsibilities.
PDF 251.51 KB

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Posters and postcards:

Silence is deadly A3 Poster - Baby
PDF 5.13 MB

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Silence is deadly A5 Postcard - Baby
PDF 539.71 KB

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Silence is deadly A3 Poster - Couple
PDF 2.03 MB

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Silence is deadly A5 Postcard - Couple
PDF 725.23 KB

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Silence is deadly A3 Poster - Elderly couple
PDF 1.72 MB

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Silence is deadly A5 Postcard- Elderly Couple
PDF 607.15 KB

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- Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when any alarm activates, all smoke alarms will sound.
- Legislation requires smoke alarms to be installed outside every sleeping area and on each level of a house.
- Victorian fire services recommend additional smoke alarms are installed in every living area and bedroom.
- Fire services also recommend the use of smoke alarms powered by a 10-year long-life battery so you don’t need to remember to change the battery over the life of the alarm.
- Regardless of the type of smoke alarm you have, all smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
- Replaceable batteries in a smoke alarm need to be changed yearly.
- Smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling at least 30cm from the wall or, when installed on the wall, at least 30cm from the ceiling to avoid dead air space.
- Smoke alarms should be tested monthly as per the manufacturer’s guide, by pressing the test button on the alarm and wait for the test alarm to sound.
- Smoke alarms should be cleaned at least once a year with a duster or vacuum cleaner to remove particles that will affect smoke alarm performance.
- For as little as $10, you can buy and install additional smoke alarms to make your home safer.

Enquiries

Enquiries on this communications kit can be emailed to cfapromotions@cfa.vic.gov.au or campaigns@frv.vic.gov.au.

Updated 26 June 2026